Live the crucified life

Paul wrote, “I have been crucified with Christ; it is no longer I who live, but Christ lives in me; and the life which I now live in the flesh I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave Himself for me.” It’s hard to get offended when you’re dead. It’s hard to get angry, get upset, or get depressed too. Why? Because you’re dead! The day you put your faith in Christ is the day your old self died. Your desires, your dreams, and your plans are dead in the water. The person who goes down in the waters of baptism is not the same as the person who comes up. You are a new creation in Christ. Of course, you must step into this identity on a daily basis. Paul said, “I die daily” (1 Corinthians 15:31 NKJV). Jesus said, “Whoever wants to be my disciple must deny themselves and take up their cross daily” (Luke 9:23 NIV). The key word in both verses is daily. There’s great freedom in this daily death. Your performance is no longer a statement of your worth. Your ego is no longer on the line. Your reputation is no longer at risk. You are living for the approval of One – that is the Lord! Hence, Paul could write, “God forbid that I should boast except in the cross of our Lord Jesus Christ, by whom the world has been crucified to me, and I to the world” (Galatians 6:14 NKJV). Then to drive his point home, he wrote, “For you died, and your life is hidden with Christ in God” (Colossians 3:3 NKJV).